Lake Eyre: the rare event

AN INLAND sea teeming with fish and birdlife is making its way towards Lake Eyre and the normally parched desert is blooming.

The elusive phenomenon sought by explorer Charles Sturt more than 150 years ago is now washing through and around the massive sand dunes on its way south to Lake Eyre in South Australia.

From the air, there is water as far as the eye can see, and land beneath both sides of the aircraft is teeming with life.

Flocks of birds, thousands strong, stretch out across the borders of Queensland and South Australia.

For the next few months, the escaping flood waters will run down sand dunes ranging from 30km to 300km in length.

It is estimated that 10,000 people will visit Lake Eyre this year to see the desert transformed into an oasis with millions of fish, birds, reptiles and plants.

To make sure you are one of those to witness this rare event, Down Under Coach Tours is offering an Outback Odyssey coach holiday departing Brisbane on August 1. The 15-day fully inclusive motel tour of Corner Country, Lake Eyre and Birdsville includes optional flights and sightseeing of Lake Eyre and is priced from $3843 per person.